Better Contents

Better Contents

While common rock salt (sodium chloride) is the active ingredient in most low-priced ice melt, its use can be costly: It leaches into soil and waterways, corrodes concrete and metal, and poses a health risk to animals. To find a better choice, depending on where you need to use it, look past bold-print claims on deicer packaging and let the contents do the talking.

To Keep Pets Healthy

To Keep Pets Healthy

Why: An additive that absorbs water to melt ice, it's nontoxic if ingested and won't irritate skin. But use sparingly; in runoff, it can lower oxygen levels in waterways, potentially harming aquatic life.

Better Contents

While common rock salt (sodium chloride) is the active ingredient in most low-priced ice melt, its use can be costly: It leaches into soil and waterways, corrodes concrete and metal, and poses a health risk to animals. To find a better choice, depending on where you need to use it, look past bold-print claims on deicer packaging and let the contents do the talking.

To Keep Pets Healthy

Look for: Propylene glycol

Why: An additive that absorbs water to melt ice, it's nontoxic if ingested and won't irritate skin. But use sparingly; in runoff, it can lower oxygen levels in waterways, potentially harming aquatic life.